No Limitations

In Episode 170 of the No Limitations Podcast, There's a Better Way, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies and Senior Scholar at the U.S. Air Force Academy Institute for Future Conflict. In a far-reaching discussion, David offers insights from decades of experience spanning warfighting, technology, strategy, and leadership. He explores how the character of conflict is changing, how great power competition is reshaping global security, and what these shifts demand of leaders, both military and civilian, in an increasingly uncertain world. David is a pioneer in planning and executing aerospace operations at the highest levels of national security. He has operated at the sharp end of combat, at the centre of joint and coalition command, and at the strategic heart of Pentagon decision-making. David was the principal attack planner for Operation Desert Storm, widely regarded as the most successful air campaign in modern military history. In the wake of September 11, he led the Combined Air and Space Operations Center, orchestrating America’s initial response and shaping the air campaign over Afghanistan. He has twice served as a Combined and Joint Task Force Commander, commanded No-Fly Zone operations over Iraq, and led air operations in both major combat and humanitarian missions from the Middle East to Antarctica and the South Asia tsunami relief effort. He was also the first U.S. Air Force Chief of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, where he transformed the ISR and remotely piloted aircraft enterprise, setting standards that have since been emulated by militaries around the world. As a Command Pilot, David has over 3,000 flying hours, including 400 hours in combat. Beyond uniformed service, David has continued to shape strategic thinking as the Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies and as a Senior Scholar at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Institute for Future Conflict. He has served on congressional commissions on the future of U.S. Defense, advised governments and institutions globally, and has been recognised as one of the most influential figures in U.S. Defense for his lifetime contribution to national security thought and practice. David is also featured in the book “Airpower Pioneers: From Billy Mitchell to Dave Deptula”. Please note this episode was recorded on 8 May 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 154 of the No Limitations podcast, The Quantum Cold War, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with Rob Jesudason, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founding Partner of Serendipity Capital.   In a provocative discussion, Rob warns that increasing geopolitical tensions are heightening security risks as we shift towards a multipolar world order. He emphasises that the lack of sufficient investment from governments and businesses in technologies critical to national security, could put countries at a disadvantage, leaving both their physical and technological infrastructure vulnerable. Rob also closely examines the implications of Artificial Intelligence and questions whether economies like Australia can effectively leverage its resources and implement a long-term strategy to address current challenges in productivity, tax policy and investment incentives. Finally, Rob explores the complexities of building a business from scratch, sharing candid insights and personal anecdotes of his journey transitioning from a Senior Executive at Commonwealth Bank of Australia to founding Serendipity Capital.   Rob began his career at GE Capital in the United Kingdom before joining McKinsey & Company for four years. For the next 16 years, Rob held various senior leadership positions at several major banks, including Barclays Bank PLC, J.P. Morgan, Credit Suisse and Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where he was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in 2017. He also served as a Non-Executive Director of ASB Bank, PT Bank Commonwealth and TymeBank. Rob was appointed President of Block.one in 2018, before relocating to Singapore, where he founded Serendipity Capital, an early-stage investment firm that is focused on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, climate and sustainability, quantum technologies and security. In addition to being the CEO, Rob is also the Chief Investment Officer and is responsible for recommending investment decisions to the Investment Committee. He is a Non-Executive Director of several Serendipity portfolio companies including Deep Labs, Pollination and Fortaegis Technologies, and was previously on the Board of Cambridge Quantum Computing. Rob is a Visiting Professor at Aston University.   Please note: this episode was recorded on 6 May 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 152 of the No Limitations podcast Culture Trumps All, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with Steve Sargent, Chairman of Nanosonics Ltd and Non-Executive Director of Ramsay Health Care Ltd.   In a reflective yet upbeat conversation, Steve delves into the core principles which helped establish General Electric (GE) as one of the greatest leadership factories of the 21st century. He dissects the company’s performance-oriented culture, emphasising the importance of seamless operating systems as well as the power of candid communication and messaging. Steve challenges us to critically assess GE’s renowned leadership methodologies, such as Six Sigma, and whether they could still be employed by modern CEOs in today’s evolving business world. Finally, Steve offers his perspective on the broader business leadership challenges at both the Executive and Board level, and how the shifting geopolitical landscape may reshape the global economy and provide unprecedented and untapped opportunities for Australia.   Steve began his career at Westpac Banking Corporation before moving to the United States, where he joined GE. Over the next 25 years, he held a variety of leadership roles within the company, ultimately serving as Chief Executive Officer and President, Global Mining. Steve was the first Australian appointed as a member of the company’s 45-member Corporate Executive Council and as an Officer of GE in the company’s long-standing history. Currently, Steve is the Chairman of Nanosonics Ltd and Non-Executive Director of Ramsay Health Care Ltd. He is also Chairman of the Origin Energy Foundation, Origin Energy’s philanthropic arm, and serves on the Board of The Great Barrier Reef Foundation and is a Non-Executive Director of Lumitron Technologies Inc.   Please note: this episode was recorded on 11 March 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 150 of the No Limitations podcast Back to the Whiteboard, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with John Mullen, Chair of Qantas Airways Ltd, Brambles Ltd and Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.   In a topical discussion, John confronts the challenges plaguing Australian corporate Boardrooms, highlighting how these issues could undermine productivity and threaten the future growth of the nation. Drawing from his rich experience leading TNT and DHL Express, John shares his war stories and invaluable learnings, revealing the people challenges that continue to resonate in today’s corporate world. He offers a stark warning that over-regulation on ASX-listed entities is driving top talent away from public companies to the Boardrooms and management ranks of private capital. John concludes by emphasising that governance initiatives such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) should not be a mere tick-box exercise but rather something that should be strategically pursued if they add tangible value to the organisation.   John spent his early career with TNT Group, where he held several leadership positions, including as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TNT Express Worldwide from 1990 to 1994. He then advanced to the DHL Group, where he became Global CEO of DHL Express in 2006. John’s executive career continued as he served as Managing Director and CEO of Asciano Ltd, one of Australia’s largest port and rail operators, before taking on the role of Executive Chairman at The Toll Group. John served on the Board of Telstra Group Ltd from 2008 and held the position of Chairman from 2016 to 2023. Currently, John is the Chair of Qantas Airways Ltd, Brambles Ltd, Treasury Wine Estates Ltd, and Scyne Advisory, a PwC spin-off. He also serves as a Director at Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation, a US-based asset management firm.   Please note: this episode was recorded on 14 March 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 148 of the No Limitations podcast The Tiger in the Room, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Lt. Col. Jahara “Franky” Matisek, Military Professor at the U.S. Naval War College.   In an erudite discussion, Franky asserts that the United States remains the chief defender of freedom, democracy and the global rules-based order, although he cautions that its political leaders have replaced diplomacy and protocol with unpredictable rhetoric. Turning to the wider world, Franky laments that Russia has become a pariah state with a depleted economy and that China is now a dominant superpower with a hegemonic outlook towards its neighbours in the Asia-Pacific region. Franky also delivers an astute assessment of the strategic significance of other nations such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, the United Kingdom, and Europe more broadly. Lastly, he shares his leadership philosophy centred around having the courage to follow your passion.         Franky started his career at the United States Air Force as an Officer where he has served for two decades and completed over 1,300 combat hours in major operations such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Franky holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University and is a Military Professor at the U.S. Naval War College. He is also a Fellow at the Irregular Warfare Initiative, the European Resilience Initiative Center, and the Payne Institute for Public Policy. In addition, he is the Minerva Co-Principal Investigator for improving United States security assistance at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defence for Research and Engineering. Franky is the most published active duty United States military officer with two books and a hundred articles in peer-reviewed journals and policy outlets to his name.   Please note: this episode was recorded on 18 February 2025. Disclaimer: The views of Lt. Col. Matisek are his own and do not reflect the official positions of the United States Air Force, Naval College, Department of Defence, or United States Government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 146 of the No Limitations podcast Something is Kind of Wrong, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Matt Barrie, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Freelancer Ltd (ASX:FLN), one of the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplaces with more than 77 million registered users and 25 million projects. In an illuminating discussion, Matt outlines his various businesses and how they have supported new developments in engineering, aeronautics, and computer science. Reflecting on his past experiences, he explains the drawbacks of venture capitalism compared to “bootstrapping” a business, the strategic value of being late to market, and how advancements in artificial intelligence will significantly change approaches to customer engagement and daily operations. He also highlights the importance of fostering high-performing teams dedicated to delivering life-changing work. Finally, Matt discusses how despite a restrictive regulatory environment, Australia produces good business operators who will guide the nation’s next stage of economic growth. Matt Barrie is an award-winning technology entrepreneur and a prolific speaker on a variety of topics including entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and macroeconomics. He is also the Chief Executive of Escrow.com, a world leader in secure online payments and Executive Chairman of Loadshift, Australia’s largest freight marketplace. Prior to Freelancer Ltd, Matt was an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Electrical and Information Engineering Department at the University of Sydney. He also founded and was Chief Executive of Sensory Networks Inc., a vendor of high-performance network security processors. Please note: this episode was recorded on 8 October 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.